He was born Aug. 22, 1926 in Wabash, to John K. and Pauline (Shellhamer) Barnett.

Burnell was a 1944 graduate of Linlawn High School, and attended Purdue University Ag short course. He married Carol Faye Sutton in Wabash, on Dec. 24, 1947; she died Jan. 6, 2012. He was a retired farmer, worked at Country Village, Diehl Machine, AB Pig Sales, and also sold Buck Stoves. He was a life member of the Wabash Elks Lodge #471, a member of the Izaak Walton League, and a charter member of the Richvalley Lions Club. Burnell died the same date, March 5, as his mother Pauline.

He is survived by two daughters, Bea (Donald) Ferverda, Silver Lake, and Susan (Thomas) Powell, Wabash; six grandchildren, Derrick (Jenny) Wilson, Wabash, Alesha (Jason) Egts, Sicily, Italy, Joshua Ferverda, Silver Lake, Kristin Powell and Ethan Powell, both of Wabash, and Brandy Barnett, Jamestown, Ind.; five great-grandchildren, Hannah, Emma, and Ava Wilson, all of Wabash, and Lorelei, and Elaina Faye Egts, Sicily. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Bryan Barnett who died May 3, 2000, and sister, Louise Kusiak.

Funeral services were held at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave. Wabash on Friday, March 8, with David Phillips officiating. Private burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Wabash.

Preferred memorials are to the Wabash Elks Lodge # 471 or the Wabash County 4-H Council.

The memorial guest book for Burnell may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.